Brugmansia is also known as Tree Datura, Angels Trumpets, and Maikoa. It is very similar to the Datura but attains heights up to 25 feet that produces long trumpet like flowers. That’s why it is called tree Datura. Traditionally it is used as a medicine and narcotic.
Maikoa has been used since the dawn of time by the aborignial people of the western Amazon area. The plant is considered a source of ritualistic medicines of great healing power. Generally plants containing atropine and scopolamine have been used in other parts of the world over centuries.
This plant is common in cultivation and is very ornamental. One is able to purchase Brugmansia arborea flowers and seeds in quite a many online stores.
posted by admin at 10:27 pm
Morning Glories are an annual vine with ovate, deeply cordate leaves 3-4 inches long and 3/4-3 inches wide.
The trumpet-shaped Morning Glory flowers vary from white to red, purple, blue, or violet-blue. The ovoid fruit is about 1/2 inch in length and bears elongate, angular black seeds.
The seeds of several varieties of Morning Glory (Ipomoea violacea) contain a naturally occurring indole called Lysergic Acid Amide (LSA). Due to their psychoactive properties the seeds were used ritually by Aztecs.
posted by admin at 12:32 pm
Sceletium tortuosum - also known as Kougoed, Kaugoed, Channa, and Kanna - is a small ground-cover plant growing native in Southern Africa. For hundreds of years the native people of Southern Africa have used Sceletium tortuosum to enhance mood and to relax.
Historically Sceletium tortuosum was eaten/chewed, smoked or used as snuff to produce euphoria and alertness which gently turned into relaxation. If chewed in sufficient quantity Sceletium has a mild anesthetic effect in the mouth, much like Kava. The main active chemical in Kanna is mesembrine,

Kanna is believed to act as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). People taking any psychiatric drug (including all anxiety drugs, sedatives, hypnotics, anti-depressants and anti-psychotics and so-called designer or recreation drugs) or any cardiac medications, are advised not to take any Sceletium-containing products.
Charles Thunberg wrote about Kanna in 1773: “The Hottentots come far and near to fetch this shrub with the root, leaves and all, which they beat together, and afterwards twist them up like pig-tail tobacco; after which they let the mass ferment and keep it by them for chewing, especially when they are thirsty. If chewed after fermentation, it intoxicates.”
posted by admin at 3:29 pm
Catha edulis, Khat, was extremely popular in ancient Egypt.

Khat was used to increase conversation. Catha edulis is little-known today outside its common use by Arab males in Yemen.
The United States has seen some popularity growth for Khat, but it is mostly limited to Arab immigrants. Catha edulis foliage, commonly called Khat or Quat, is illegal in the U.S.
posted by admin at 2:55 pm
Damiana - Turnera diffusa - is also called Mexican Damiana and Mizib-coc. Damiana has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine throughout the world. It is thought to have properties making it to act as an aphrodisiac, antidepressant, cough-suppressant, tonic, mild laxative and diuretic.
Turnera diffusa is a common admixture to many herbal smoking blends.
In mexico, women commonly drink tea of Damiana before having sexual intercourse. Damiana is known to bring strength to the nervous system and treat depression.
posted by admin at 4:30 pm
Phalaris Grass, also known as Canary Reed Grass, is common in many areas and is even considered a weed in some parts of the United States.
While Phalaris arundinicea has been dated to the age of Antiquity, there was no evidence of use as an ethnobotanical until recently.
The Canary Grass seeds are very easy to grow — just plant and water. They will thrive in most climates and do especially well indoors.
posted by admin at 6:32 pm
Passiflora incarnata, also called Passion Flower, is a beautifull Perrenial with sweet scented flowers and unique flower structure. Passiflora incarnata has been used as a sedative to aid in the treatment of insomnia. In homeopathic medicine Passion Flower was used to treat epilepsy.
The medicinal properties of Passiflora incarnata have a long history of use by native North Americans. The Cherokee are known to be using Passion Flower in many religious ceremonies.
The flowers are highly sought after and considered to be the most potent part of the plant. The dried herb has been valued as an antispasmodic, hypnotic, and sedative.
posted by admin at 4:42 am
Dream Herb - Calea zacatechichi - was traditionally used by the Chontal Natives of Oaxaca, Mexico. It still is being traditionally used by the Chontal Indians to induce dreams. It would be prepared as a tea and drank while smoking a cigarette made up of the Calea zacatechichi foliage just before going to bed.
Exactly how Dream Herb (Calea zacatechichi) effects the brain is not well understood. The plant contains 0.01% of a crystalline alkaloid, C21H26O8. Modern studies have shown an increase in brain activity during sleep and some minor hallucinations of subjects when awake.
It has been found to increase the superficial stages of sleep and the number of spontaneous awakenings. Those who partook of the Dream Herb were able to experience lucid dreaming; the ability to control and remember their dreams with less effort.
Auditory hallucinations are also fairly common, which prompted the Chontals, believing they were hearing the voice of God, to refer to Calea zacatechici as Leaf of God. A feeling of well-being is said to persist for a day or more with no unpleasant side effects.
posted by admin at 5:53 pm